<p>If you’re considering universities, you might want to look into whether they have smaller learning communities or shared interest housing. My d wanted to go to a university and chose RIT because she liked the design curriculum and the people she dealt with. She chose to live in the ArtHouse, which is a dorm floor consisting of students with an interest in art (there is also a Photo House). Many on her floor are design students but there are photo majors, illustration majors, New Media, Animation and engineering students. They are all dealing with the intense foundation year classes and the hours that requires. They share a studio located on their floor and they are often up late at night, working on projects TOGETHER. So although she’s at a university and associating with all types of majors, she is living in a smaller community, surrounded by other art students. Their work schedule is the same so they share the same misery (17-18 credits per qtr). At RIT, you can also choose to request a roommate with the same major but live in the other dorms… </p>
<p>I believe Syracuse had an art learning community. Not sure about CMU… I think this setup has helped her transition to college. She did comment that she’s glad she’s not with her friends at their colleges - that they would never understand her crazy workload. She’s in class 27 hrs/week compared to their 15 hrs/week…</p>